In Alleys
Alleys play an integral role in keeping the Swamp clean and orderly. For over a century, people lived in hundreds of wood homes in DC’s alleys, until the Alley Dwelling Authority “developed” and “renovated” the alleys by demolishing them in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Seventy years later, in 2016, DC’s zoning regulations were updated, once again allowing alley living in the District. With little undeveloped land in DC and strict height regulations, alley lots are rare opportunities to add thoughtful houses to the city’s fabric.
Adelaide Alley
38°53'N 76°58'W
A thank you note to the Sun and the Moon.
A tribute to a progressive artist.
A farm-to-shelter summary of a regional building cuisine.
A compostable bamboo, wool and wood creature.
A reevaluation of Poplar Forest.
A Roman domus in New New Rome.
A nest for a family.
A house in a Capital Hill alley.
Mailou Alley
38°55'N 77°01'W
A long house stretches itself out toward the Sun, anchoring a small alley with its wraparound ground level fence screen. Windows fit into horizontal bands of wood cladding, and two balconies compliment a large ground floor living space and screened porch.
Overbeck Alley
38°53'N 76°59'W
A creative partnership with a builder-neighbor leads to a new cork clad alley community. Screens, fences, balconies, and shades moderate privacy and sunlight.
Unnamed Alley
38°56'N 77°01'W
Slate clad twins mirror each other. Similar relationships to the alley, but very different relative to the Sun.
Noon Alley
38°53'N 76°58'W
All that you touch, and all that you see,
All that you taste, all you feel,
And all that you love, and all that you hate…
And all that is now, and all that is gone,
And all that’s to come,
And everything under the sun is in tune,
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.
– Pink Floyd
Eclipse